Deputy President Mabuza holds a Consultative Meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan. Deputy President David Mabuza in his capacity as Special Envoy to South Sudan has today, 12 December 2018, held a consultative meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan at the Johnny Makhathini Diplomatic Guesthouse in Pretoria.

DIRCO and members of the diplomatic corps honour Madiba. The lives of the senior citizens of Ekuphumleni Old Age Home in Zwide, Port Elizabeth, will never be the same. This, after the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), together with Embassies accredited to South Africa have decided to donate a number of products in an effort to better the living conditions of the elderly women and men of Ekuphumleni.

South African Government concerned about the growing number of South Africans detained abroad. More than 800 South Africans are in prisons across the world for visa-related violations, drug-related charges, as well as various other offences. As we approach the festive season, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has expressed serious concern about South Africans being arrested or detained across the world as a result of these offences.

South Africa welcomes the resumption of peace talks on the situation in the Western Sahara. South Africa welcomes the recently concluded first round of negotiations held on 5-6 December 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland on the situation in Western Sahara.

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the presentation of credentials by Heads of Mission accredited to South Africa, Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Tshwane, 11 December 2018. It is my singular honour to welcome you to the Republic of South Africa as Heads of Mission charged with the responsibility to strengthen the friendship that exists between our countries.

President Ramaphosa to receive Letters of Credence from Heads of Mission Designate

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday 11 December 2018, receive letters of credence from Heads of Mission Designate to South Africa at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

Eulogy by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Special Official Funeral of the late Mr Mendi Msimang, Christian Revival Church, Pretoria, 8 December 2018. We are gathered here in solemn mourning to pay our last respects to a great South African whose life was dedicated to the cause of freedom.

DIRCO to host Annual Diplomatic Funfair

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), will be hosting the annual Diplomatic Funfair on Saturday, 8 December 2018 in Pretoria.

Voter registration for South African citizens living abroad in February 2019. Voter registration for South African citizens living abroad will take place at all South African foreign missions from 1 to 4 February 2019.

Deputy President Mabuza arrives in the Republic of Uganda on South Sudan Special Envoy Mission. Deputy President David Mabuza as Special Envoy to South Sudan today, 07 December 2018, arrives in Entebbe International Airport, in the Republic of Uganda ahead of the bilateral political discussion with President Yoweri Museveni.

Deputy President David Mabuza undertakes a Consultative Working Visit to IGAD Member States. Deputy President David Mabuza in his capacity as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to South Sudan will undertake a regional consultative Working Visit to three member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as part of the efforts towards lasting peace and stability in South Sudan.

President declares Special Official Funeral for Mr Mendi Msimang. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 1 for the late Mr Mendi Msimang, struggle stalwart and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Memorial Service for former Ambassador Mendi Msimang

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation will hold a memorial service in honour of former Ambassador Mendi Msimang.

Minister Sisulu conveys her condolences to the Msimang family. “Once again, we have lost one of our country’s finest diplomats who served his country with dedication, commitment and pride.” Those were the words of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, after learning with deep shock and sadness of the untimely passing of Mr Mendi Msimang.

President Ramaphosa concludes his G20 Argentina Visit. Buenos Aires - President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Saturday, 01 December 2018, concluded his visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina where he led South Africa’s delegation to the G20 Summit.

President Ramaphosa sends condolence message to the United States of America following the passing away of former President George H.W. Bush. President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, sent a message of condolences to the government and the people of the United States America (USA) following the passing on of the 41st President of the USA, George Herbert Walker Bush. The former US President died at the age of 94.

Closing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at BRICS Leaders’ Summit, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, 30 November 2018. Thank you for your valuable contributions on these important matters of mutual interest and global concern.

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at BRICS Leaders’ Summit, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, 30 November 2018. It is my honour to once again have the opportunity to meet with you on the margins of the 2018 G20 Leaders’ Summit to coordinate our common positions in the international arena and to build further on the discussions that we had during the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in July.

President Ramaphosa arrives in Argentina for G20 Summit. Buenos Aires - President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Thursday, 29 November 2018, arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he is leading the South African delegation to the G20 Summit which takes place from 30 November to 1 December 2018.

President Ramaphosa departs for Argentina leading South African delegation to G20 Summit. Pretoria - President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Thursday 29 November 2018, departed South Africa for Buenos Aires, Argentina where he will be leading the South African delegation to the G20 Summit which takes place from 30 November to 1 December 2018.

Deputy Minister Mhaule visits Soweto to talk SA foreign policy and national interests

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Reginah Mhaule, will on Friday, 30 November 2018, host a Community Outreach programme in Diepkloof, Soweto.

South Africa's message on the occasion of the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The South African Government joins the international community today in observing the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, as well as in renewing our shared commitment to a just and lasting solution to the Question of Palestine.

South Africa to mark UN International Day of Solidarity with Palestine

On Thursday, 29 November 2018, the Government and the people of South Africa will join the international community in commemorating the 41st Anniversary of the United Nations (UN) International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Deputy Minister Mhaule co-chairs the Bilateral Political Consultations between SA and Kazakhstan. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Regina Mhaule, is today, 23 November 2018, hosting the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Mr Yerzhan Ashikbayev, accompanied by a delegation from the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for the Sixth South Africa-Kazakhstan Bilateral Political Consultations.

Minister Sisulu concludes a successful Working Visit to Russia. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, has concluded a successful Working Visit to the Russian Federation where she co-chaired the 15th Session of the annual South Africa-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) with the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, H.E. Dmitry Kobylkin.

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Dmitry Kobylkin, at the 15th Session of the Annual South Africa - Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), Moscow, Russian Federation. 21 November 2018.

Photo: DNS/Yandisa Monakali

Bilateral Meeting between Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr Sergei Lavrov, on the margins of the 15th Session of the Annual South Africa - Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), Moscow, Russian Federation, 21 November 2018.

Minister Sisulu arrives in Moscow to strengthen trade and diplomatic relations with the Government of the Russian Federation. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, has arrived in Moscow in the Russian Federation for a Working Visit where she will co-chair the 15th Session of the annual South Africa-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) with the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, H.E. Dmitry Kobylkin.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 21 November 2018. Cabinet met on Wednesday, 21 November 2018 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town. Issues in the Environment – Investment - Cabinet welcomes the successful inaugural Africa Investment Forum held from 7 to 9 November 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Media Remarks at the conclusion of the German President State Visit to South Africa, 20 November 2018, Cape Town, South Africa. Let me begin, Mr President, by expressing my appreciation for the useful discussions we have just concluded on South Africa’s strategic relationship with Germany.

SA marks 25 years of diplomatic relations with four South East Asian nations

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will host the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Africa and several South East Asian Countries by hosting a seminar and a culture and heritage exhibition on Monday, 19 November 2018.

DIRCO notes media reports on the journalists detained in Tanzania. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has noted recent media articles relating to the release of former editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper, Ms Angela Quintal, and her Kenyan colleague, Ms Muthoki Mumo, from their detention in Tanzania, following what the local authorities call an “immigration violation”.

President Ramaphosa concludes Working Visit to Ethiopia. President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Saturday 17 November 2018, concluded his working visit to Addis Ababa in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia where he attended the 11th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

President Ramaphosa concludes three-nation working visit to Europe. President Cyril Ramaphosa has yesterday, 16 November 2018, concluded a three-nation visit to Europe which sought to strengthen political, economic and multilateral relations with the European Union as South Africa’s single largest trade partner.

President Ramaphosa to attend AU Extraordinary Summit. President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, 17 November 2018, arrived in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, for the 11th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), scheduled for 17 to 18 November 2018.

Minister Sisulu welcomes DIRCO-IEC cooperation agreement. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, has welcomed the signing today (16 November 2018) of a Cooperation Agreement between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) pertaining to voting to be conducted at South African diplomatic missions abroad.

Deputy Minister Landers to undertake a working visit to Switzerland. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers, will undertake a working visit to Geneva, Switzerland, on 16 November 2018.

European Union – South Africa Summit Joint Statement, Brussels, 15 November, 2018. We, the leaders of the European Union and South Africa, reaffirm the importance of our Strategic Partnership based on shared principles, equality and interests. We note that our meeting takes place 100 years after the birth of Nelson Mandela and is an opportunity to build on his unique legacy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SA-EU Summit Media Briefing Remarks, 15 November 2018, Brussels, Belgium. Let me begin by conveying the gratitude of my delegation for the warm welcome and excellent hospitality extended to us, in both Strasbourg and Brussels, by our friends and partners in the European Union.

South Africa welcomes the lifting of Security Council sanctions against Eritrea. The South African Government has welcomed a resolution by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to lift sanctions against Eritrea.

Address by President Ramaphosa to European Parliament: South Africa – European Parliament, 14 November 2018, Strasbourg, France. It is a great honour and a privilege to address this gathering in the centenary year of the birth of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding father of our democratic nation, a revered statesman and a committed internationalist.

Reaffirmation of historical ties and charting a new path of shared prosperity at the centre of President Ramaphosa’s interaction with President of European Parliament. President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning held discussions with the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani in Strasbourg, France.

President Ramaphosa arrives in the French Republic to address the European Parliament. President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, 14 November 2018, arrived in Strasbourg, French Republic for the working visit to the European Union (EU).